300 games later, Dusty Wells remains part of Canberra football’s fabric

Three teams. One summit. Canberra Croatia, Tigers FC and Tuggeranong United are level on 18 points after another entertaining weekend in NPL Capital Football.

Canberra Croatia, with games in hand and only seven played, flexed their title credentials in the Croatian derby, crushing O’Connor Knights 5-1 as Daniel Colbertaldo struck twice before half-time.

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Tigers kept pace after surviving a 3-2 battle against Canberra Olympic days after Aidan Milicevic’s midweek hat-trick inspired a 3-1 victory over Monaro Panthers.

Tuggeranong weren’t far behind either. Xabier Davies scored twice in four minutes as United dismantled Brindabella Blues 5-1.

Elsewhere, Canberra Juventus swept aside Canberra White Eagles 4-1, with Luca Macor producing the filthiest finish of the weekend - sending the goalkeeper to the floor with an ice-cold piece of composure.

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But beyond the goals and the ladder movement, this weekend belonged to Dusty Wells.

Three hundred NPL appearances.

At 42, Wells is still turning up for Belconnen United, who lost 3-1 to Monaro. Still competing. Still setting standards. No farewell tour attached to it all either - just another game, another shift, another chapter added to a career that has stretched across eras of Australian football.

From the NSL to the A-League and now 300 appearances in Canberra’s top flight, Wells has remained connected to the game in a way few ever do.

Some players leave their mark on local football. Others become part of its history.